USA > Maine > Oxford County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 13
USA > Maine > Franklin County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine > Part 13
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Oliver Sewell was born in Chesterville, July 10, 1788. He acquired a good eduea- tion, became a land surveyor and a general conveyaneer and writer of deeds, which oecu- pations he followed for several years. He also worked for some time at the carpenter's trade. Later in life he bought a farm of seventy aeres
in his native town, and thereafter eondueted it with sueeess until his death, which oeeurred May 29, 1861. He was one of the most prominent eitizens of Chesterville in his day. The town enjoyed the benefit of his serviees as Selectman for twelve years. He was also Town Clerk for a time, and he represented his distriet in the legislature. In polities he fol- lowed the majority of the old Whig element into the ranks of the Republican party at its formation. He was a member of the Congre- gational church, and aeted as a Deaeon for many years. His wife, Betsey, who was born in 1788, bore him six children; namely, Har- riet G., Eliza J., Maria, George O., Calvin D., and William S.
William S. Sewell was educated in the town sehools. He remained with his parents at the homestead until his majority. After serving an apprenticeship to the earpenter's trade, he has followed it as a journeyman more or less, in connection with other lines of business. Some time ago, with funds saved from his earnings, he bought an interest in a mill. He has been engaged in repairing mills and in bridge building. He has built several well-known bridges in this part of the county, including the Red Bridge in Farmington, two at Fairbanks, and one at Russell's Mills. For some time past he has given his attention to the lumber business, keeping in his yards at Keith's Mills a good supply of all kinds of manufactured stoek for building purposes. In 1857 he erected his present comfortable resi- denee and spacious barns.
On January 14, 1858, Mr. Sewell wedded Augusta P. Allen, daughter of Reuben and Joanna (Harris) Allen. Mrs. Sewell's grand- father, William Allen, who was a native of Massachusetts, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, settled at Poland Springs, Me., where he reelaimed a farm from the wilderness. He was an extensive farmer and a progressive citizen, and he lived to be eighty-seven years old. He married Peggy Woodworth, who was seventy-five years of age when she died. Their children were: John, Reuben, Zadock, William, Peggy, and Mary. Reuben Allen, Mrs. Sewell's father, born in Poland Springs, inherited the homestead con- taining one hundred and twenty-five aeres,
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and became a prosperous general farmer. In politics he was a Whig. In his religious con- victions he was a Congregationalist, and he died at the age of fifty-five years. He mar- ried Joanna Harris, and reared, besides Mrs. Sewell, six other children; namely, Charles G., John H., Mandana, Sarah W., Samuel C., and Abbie A. The mother lived to be seventy-three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Sewell's children are: Cora M., a music teacher, who resides at home; and Nettie, who is also engaged in teaching. Mr. Sew- ell's political sympathies are given to the Re- publican party, and he takes a liberal view of religion. He has been one of the most stirring and energetic business men in this locality.
EWIS M. MANN, the proprietor of the wood-working mills at Paris and West Milton, was born in Jaffrey, N.H., December 6, 1848, son of Edwin and Caroline M. (Sibley) Mann. Edwin Mann, who was born in Troy, N. H., Septem- ber 20, 1820, was for some years the owner of the Mountain House in Jaffrey, N.H. Be- sides conducting this establishment he was also engaged in farming and manufacturing. After a time he retired from the hotel busi- ness, and gave his exclusive attention to his manufacturing enterprise in Troy, whither he removed with his family. He was acciden- tally drowned at his mills in 1856, leaving a widow and four children. Enterprise and business ability were his distinguishing char- acteristics. In politics he supported the Whig party. His wife, Caroline, who was born in Troy, September 3, 1827, had four children, namely: Melissa, the wife of John Beals, of Leominster, Mass .; Lewis M., the subject of this sketch; Ella C., who is now the widow of William F. Reed, and resides in Somerville, Mass .; and Walter E., who died at the age of thirty-nine.
The subject of this sketch, Lewis M. Mann, acquired his education in the schools of Troy. Since young manhood he has been identified with his present business. He began by mak- ing pail handles by contract in Troy. He entered upon his first business venture in
1870 at Norway, Me., by engaging in the manufacturing of pail handles and clothes- pins, which he carried on for two years. Then, moving to Snow's Falls, this county, he continued the enterprise there for two years more, after which he removed to West Paris, this county. In 1880 he again changed his location, going this time to Milton Plantation, where, in company with his brother, the late Walter E. Mann, he carried on business until 1892. He then re-established his business in West Paris, and since his brother's death in 1894 he has conducted manufactories in both places. Besides his specialties, clothes-pins and pail handles, he turns out other wooden articles. In 1895 thirteen hundred cords of white and yellow birch and poplar were used in the production of boxes alone; and his two mills, which employ thirty hands, finished and shipped an output of twenty thousand dollars' worth of goods during the same year. The mills are equipped with the latest improved machinery. That in the West Paris plant includes apparatus of his own invention. A progressive and energetic business man, he is much esteemed by the residents of Paris.
On November 19, 1872, Mr. Mann was united in marriage to Mary A. Towne, who was born in Norway, Me., in 1847. She died March 31, 1893, leaving two sons, namely : Arthur L., who is now attending Bryant & Stratton's Business College; and Edwin J., who is a student of the State college at Orono, Me. Both in society and business circles Mr. Mann is very popular. In being a self-made man his success in life is particularly merito- rious. He is a Republican in politics, is con- nected with the lodge of Odd Fellows in West Paris, and attends the Universalist church, as did his late wife. The family occupies a very pleasant residence in West Paris.
EORGE W. THOMAS, a successful farmer of Oxford, was born in He- bron, Me., June 12, 1832, son of George W. and Margaret A. (Blankenberg) Thomas. The family descends from Colonial ancestry. Holmes Thomas, the grandfather of George W., was born in Plymouth, Mass., June 12, 1755. He served as a soldier in the
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Continental army during the Revolutionary War, afterward receiving a pension in recog- nition of his services. About the year 1788 he settled upon one hundred and sixty acres of wild land situated in the south-east part of Oxford, which was then in the township of Hebron. Having cleared a farm, he culti- vated the land and made shoes until 1812. He then sold his property and moved to Dix- field, Me., where he cleared and improved another farm from the wilderness. He spent his last years at the home of his son, George W. Thomas, Sr., where he died March 26, 1836. He was a sturdy and industrious man, who attained prosperity through hard work; and he was a Deacon of the Baptist church. On July 10, 1777, he married Susannah Churchill, who was born January 19, 1758. She reared eleven of her twelve children, none of whom are living, and died September 19, 1839.
George W. Thomas, Sr., was born in Ox- ford, April 20, 1801. Following the occupa- tion of farmer, he spent the most of his life in East Oxford, where he owned a good farm of eighty acres. He was widely and favorably known throughout this locality as one of its most prominent and useful residents; and his death, which took place August 17, 1876, was the cause of general regret. In politics he was originally a supporter of the Whigs; but he joined the Republican party at its forma- tion, and adhered to its principles throughout the rest of his life. In religious belief he was a Baptist, and for many years was an ac- tive member of that church. His wife, Mar- garet, who was born in Portland, Me., March 15, 1808, became the mother of ten children, . all of whom are living. They are: George. W., the subject of this sketch; Simeon P., who was born November 6, 1833; Cyrus, who was born April 20, 1835; William W., who was born June 4, 1838; Helen M., who was born December 28, 1840; Mary C. and Robert C., twins, who were born February 10, 1843; John F., who was born June 24, 1845; Ade- laide C., who was born September 6, 1847; and Lenora, who was born September 20, 1851. The mother died January 14, 1886.
George W. Thomas attended the district schools of his native town. When seventeen
years old he began earning his living by work- ing in a stone quarry for his uncle, William Thomas, receiving fifteen dollars per month for his services. From 1849 to 1870 he fol- lowed various occupations in Massachusetts and elsewhere, his last employment, previous to his return to Maine, having been that of ship calker. At this he worked all along the coast from Portsmouth, N. H., to Brooklyn, N. Y. Having saved a considerable portion of his earnings, he in 1872 bought his present farm in Oxford. He has one hundred acres of well-improved land, desirably located and exceedingly fertile. Here he carries on gen- eral farming, keeps several cows, and sells milk and cream to good advantage.
On November 1, 1858, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Abbie P. Thayer, his first wife, who was born in Oxford, June 17, 1838. She died October 22, 1863, leaving one son, Elmer E. The latter, who was born July 8, 1861, married Minnie Wormwell, and is now clerk at Swett's Hotel in Portland. Mr. Thomas's present wife, Nancy S. (Dresser) Thomas, whom he wedded Octo- ber 9, 1876, was born in Stoneham, Me., Jan- uary 4, 1835. She has had one child, Abbie M., who, born January 4, 1878, died January 28, 1896. Mr. Thomas is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of South Paris Lodge, No. 92. In politics he is a Re- publican. An able and progressive farmer, he is held in high regard by the community.
LI COOK, formerly a well-to-do farmer of New Sharon, was a native of Bruns- wick, Me., where he was born in the year 1810. His father, Eli Cook, Sr., served for eight years and eight months in the Con- tinental army, directly under General Wash- ington, and was wounded several times. Set- tling at Brunswick immediately after the war, Eli, Sr., resided there until he reached middle age. He then moved to a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in the town of New Sharon, where he passed the rest of his life.
Eli Cook, Jr., was a youth when he accom- panied his parents to New Sharon. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and subsequently began life for himself when a young man.
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Industrious and energetic, he was able by farm- ing to accumulate a considerable amount of property before his death on December 22, 1891, at the age of eighty-one years. He was highly respected, and served with ability as Road Surveyor for a number of years.
In February, 1838, he was united in mar- riage with Margaret J. Johnson, who survives him. She was born in Harpswell, Me., on April 14, 1818, daughter of Captain Isaac and Betsey (Nichols) Johnson. Her grandfather, also named Isaac, who was a sailor and was lost at sea, left a family of five children, among whom were Margaret and Jane. Cap- tain Isaac Johnson was born in Harpswell, and in early life began to follow the sea. Becom- ing a capable ship-master while still a young man, he was engaged in the West India trade, in which he realized a good fortune. He owned the ship in which he sailed, together with the large farm in Harpswell, which was carried on by hired assistants. He died at the age of thirty years. His wife, Betsey Nichols, whom he married in 1817, became the mother of two children, namely: Margaret J., who is now Mrs. Cook; and Harlow, who died young.
After the settlement of the estate, follow- ing upon her father's death, Mrs. Cook re- moved with her mother from Harpswell to Portland, where she was educated. She first met Mr. Cook while upon one of her visits to her aunt, Lucy Lake. She has had eight chil- dren - Isadore, Adeliza, Alphonso B., Ella H., Scott F., Howard C., Addie O., and Etta J. Isadore successively became the wife of Charles O. Lord, of Washington, D. C., and Edwin M. Truell. Ella H. Cook married for her first husband Henry W. Richardson, and for her second Wallace W. Campbell, of Fox- croft, Me., and had five children. Addie O. became the wife of Albert S. Upham, a pros- perous agriculturist of Farmington. Etta J., born May 7, 1858, at the homestead, where she is now residing, married on July 3, 1879, Frank Collins, of this town, who is carrying on the farm successfully. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have two children, namely: Bertha M., who was born November 8, 1880; and Olan T., who was born July 4, 1895. Mrs. Cook re- sides at the homestead, and is widely known and respected throughout this district. She
has a large circle of friends, who, knowing her worth and many admirable qualities, entertain for her a sincere affection.
ENRY JOHNSON BANGS, one of the most enterprising and successful tradesmen of Norway, Oxford County, Me., a leading dealer in groceries and provisions, was born in Wayne, in this State, on October 20, 1869, son of Rob- ert and Sarah Gilson (Johnson) Bangs. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Bangs was Sylva- nus Bangs, born in Buxton on June 17, 1780. He married Anna Fogg, who was ten years younger than himself, having been born in 1790.
Their son, Robert Bangs, was born in Wales, Me., on April 15, 1827. He learned, when he had arrived at an age of maturity, the trade of blacksmithing, which he carried on in his native town for some time. In connection with this he also learned the art of building wagons, by which he made quite a good deal of money. After some little time he sold out and moved to Wayne, where he worked at making shovel handles for a number of years. Then he came to Norway, where he finally settled, carrying on his old business of black- smithing in the heart of the village, in Crooke's shop, until his health gave way under the stress of hard work. He purchased a home on Water Street, and also built a tenement- house there.
On October 7, 1853, he married Mrs. Sarah Johnson, the widow of a prominent citizen, and the daughter of Homan Gilson, of Wayne. Three children were the result of this mar- riage - Judson, born March 16, 1856; Sumner, born September 22, 1859; and Henry Johnson, born October 20, 1869. Robert Bangs was a Republican in political principles, and in re- ligious faith a Baptist. He was a very hard- working, earnest man, and thoroughly deserved the measure of success that he attained. He died in the year 1893. His wife followed him two years later, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Henry Johnson Bangs, the latest-born of their three sons, received his early education in the public schools of Norway, and then went as a boy clerk into the grocer's store that he now owns and runs. At that time it was
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in the possession of and managed by F. H. Noyes, who shortly after sold out to A. C. Green. Both of his employers found the young clerk faithful almost to a fault, a first- class salesman, and always ready and anxious to do what was required of him. He staycd on with Mr. Green, officiating as his clerk until 1891, when he bought out his employer, and immediately enlarged his place. He ac- quired the stores adjoining on each side and reconstructed them, fitting them up in the best possible manner for his own business. The
one on the south side of his old shop he rents. In the Frost Corner store on the north side he has made extensive improvements. Mr. Bangs has so extended his patronage with the sensible increasing of his stock in trade and the added facilities for the better advantage of his cus- tomers that he now keeps two clerks to assist him, and also has found it necessary to get a delivery wagon. He carries an excellent line of groceries, provisions, and crockery.
He is undoubtedly one of the most alert, active, and capable young business men in the county, and has earned all his prosperity with the labor of his own hands and brain. His integrity is unquestioned. Mr. Bangs and Miss Minnie C. Dean, the daughter of Ro- manzo Dean, of Buckfield, Me., were married on January 1, 1890. They have two children - Mildred, born May 7, 1891; and Helen Vaun, born July 13, 1894.
Mr. Bangs is a Republican in politics, and takes a genuine interest in the important issues of the day, being always willing and anxious as a citizen to do the best he can to promote the common weal. He was elected Town Treasurer in March, 1896. He is a member of the local lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a communicant of the Baptist church. He and his wife are promi- nent, not only as church people, but also as factors in the social circles of Norway.
B ENJAMIN TUCKER, a prominent agriculturist and extensive land- holder of Oxford County, Maine, proprietor of Norway Lake Milk Farm, was born March 11, 1831, in Buckfield, only a few miles from his present place of resi-
dence. He comes of Massachusetts ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Benjamin Tucker, first, having been born and bred in Canton, Norfolk County, in that State. From there he came to the town of Norway, Me., about the year 1800. He was a harness-maker by trade, and, having opened a shop in the village, con- tinued in business until his demise.
Benjamin Tucker, second, son of the first Benjamin, worked at harness-making in his early years, and eventually succeeded to the entire business of his father, which he contin- ued at the old stand throughout his years of activity. He married Miss Sarah Millett, a native of Norway, and the following children were born to them : Benjamin, third, the spe- cial subject of this sketch; Melissa, who died in 1866; William, a harness-maker in Marl- boro, Mass. ; Angelia, widow of the late James M. Favor, living in Norway village; Cyrus S., who is engaged in harness-making in Norway village, and of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume; Henry, a har- ness-maker and dealer in carriages in Logans- port, Ind. ; and Mary Alice, widow of Frank Oxnard, of Norway village. The father died in 1876, and the mother has also departed this life.
Benjamin Tucker, the third of the name, acquired his education in his native town, con- cluding his school life at the village academy. Naturally energetic and ambitious, he was habitually employed in his later youth at some profitable labor; and for seven years after at- taining his majority he was engaged in freight- ing between Norway and South Paris. Soon after his marriage Mr. Tucker bought a farm in the neighboring town of Waterford, where he carried on general husbandry for fifteen years or more. In 1875 he returned to Nor- way, and here bought his present homestead property, which is beautifully located near Nor- way Lake. This estate contains about two hun- dred and thirty-five acres of land, and in addi- tion Mr. Tucker owns six hundred acres of land in Waterford and seventy-five acres in the town of Oxford. He carries on general farming, but makes dairying his specialty, keeping on an average forty milch cows and selling milk daily to regular customers in Norway village. Politically, Mr. Tucker is a stanch Republi-
BENJAMIN TUCKER.
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can, actively working for the best interests of his party. While living in Waterford he served as Selectman two years, and he has held the same office in Norway one year. Frater- nally, he is a member of Oxford Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 18, of Norway, and of the grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of Norway vil- lage. Of Bear Mountain Grange of Waterford, instituted in 1874, of which he was a charter member, he was elected first Master; and he has kept his membership in the order ever since. Religiously, he and his wife may be classed as liberal Christians, attending the Universalist church.
On December 1, 1858, Mr. Tucker married Miss Hannah E. Merrill, who was born in Gray, Me., on November 15, 1835, a daughter of James H. and Mary (Bodge) Merrill, both natives of Gorham, Me. Mr. Merrill was an overseer in a woollen-mill in Gorham for many years, and was also during the course of his life connected with mills in different parts of the State. He finally established himself in mercantile business in Norway village, where both he and his wife spent their closing years. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have six chil- dren - Fannie M., Frank L., Arthur, Ada H., Alton B., and Wilbur M. The two elder children and the youngest two are at home. Arthur Tucker, a can-maker by trade and the manager of a corn-canning factory at Strong, Me., married Miss Effie Marston. Ada H., now living in New York City, is the wife of Edwin Stiles, a Free Baptist missionary, who is devoting himself to his work in India. Alton B. Tucker is an insurance agent.
IRAM RAMSDELL, of Farmington, one of the oldest and most extensive dry-goods dealers in Franklin County, was born in this town, February 12, 1829, son of Abner and Hannah (Corbett) Ramsdell. Mr. Ramsdell's great- grandfather, Richard Ramsdell, was a resident of Truro, Mass. ; and his grandfather, Abner Ramsdell, was born in Truro in 1758. About the year 1796 the grandfather came to Farm- ington, and purchased the Church Brainard River lot, No. 38, on the east side, which is now owned by Mr. Manter. He died Septem-
ber 4, 1802. His wife, whose maiden name was Jerusha Collins, survived him many years, and died in 1857, at the age of eighty-three. Their ten children were severally named: Richard, Rebecca, Jerusha, Abner, John, Benjamin, William, James, Sarah, and Joanna.
Abner Ramsdell, the father of Hiram, who was born in Truro, November 17, 1795, was brought to Farmington by his parents when an infant. In early manhood he settled at the homestead, where for many years he was suc- cessfully engaged in the manufacture of brick. He finally retired from that business, and moved to Farmington village. Here he built a house, in which he dwelt for the rest of his life, and died April 22, 1884. He was an able, energetic, and exceedingly prosperous business man and a worthy, upright citizen, who gained the respect and esteem of his fel- low-townsmen. His wife, Hannah (Corbett) Ramsdell, whom he married February 15, 1819, was a daughter of John Corbett, of this town. She became the mother of eight chil- dren ; namely, Cyrus C., Angeline, Sylvester, Hiram, Abner C., John C., Joel W., and Sarah H. She had attained an advanced age at her death.
At the age of thirteen Hiram Ramsdell went to live with his brother-in-law, Peter P. Tuffs, with whom he remained until he was twenty- one years old. He obtained his education in the district school and at the Farmington Academy. During the two years succeeding the completion of his studies he was engaged in teaching school and assisting his brother Cyrus in brick-making and farming. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, and was employed there as an assistant in an asylum until failing health caused him to seek some out-door occu- pation. With this object he went to Jasper County, Iowa, where he took up a large tract of land, and was engaged in farming and school teaching for seven years. In that time he erected a good set of buildings upon his farm. After regaining his health he decided to re- turn once more to his native State. There- upon he sold his property, and came back to Farmington. In 1863 he and W. H. Hutchin- son bought a half-interest each in the old Cutler store, and together conducted it for six
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years, when his associate sold out to him. At a later date he admitted H. H. Rice as a partner, but after some years became again the sole proprietor. Since 1876 he has occu- pied his present store in Belcher Block, hav- ing two entrances, one on Main Street and the other on Broadway. The establishment em- braces probably the largest amount of floor space used in similar enterprises in this county. It is heavily stocked with a varied line of dry goods, including cloaks and dresses. Ramsdell's Dry-goods Store is widely known throughout a broad district, with Farming- ton for its centre, as a reliable and satis- factory place to deal with. By closely adher- ing to the rule of showing courtesy and an accommodating spirit to all, and seeking his profit by quick sales, the proprietor has amassed a handsome fortune. He has also dealt in real estate quite extensively.
On May 28, 1867, Mr. Ramsdell wedded Sarah C. Boardman, daughter of Melzer and Sarah (Davis) Boardman. Mrs. Ramsdell, from her own choice and a natural aptitude toward business pursuits, ably assisted her hus- band in his business. She is an accomplished saleswoman and a general favorite with cus- tomers. Their residence, which is situated at the corner of High Street and Broadway, is a fine brick structure built by Cyrus C. Rams- dell in 1858. Since it came into his posses- sion, Mr. Ramsdell has remodelled the house; and he has otherwise improved the estate by purchasing and beautifying the adjoining land. He has also dealt in real estate quite extensively, and his many profitable transac- tions have brought him into prominence as one of the most wealthy and influential capi- talists here. Politically, he is a firm believer in Republican principles, supporting that party with vigor. Both he and Mrs. Ramsdell attend the Congregational church.
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